Talley
Families have launched a civil lawsuit after five Dallas women who were killed on U.S. 281 between Burnet and Marble Falls.
The victims were in route to Kingsland July 25, when a pickup truck towing a livestock trailer veered into oncoming traffic.
The driver, 37-year-old Kody Lane Talley of Leander, was charged Aug. 5 with five counts of manslaughter by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The victims were: Thalia Salinas, 23, Ruby Aracelly Cruz, 23, Brianna Alysea Valadez, 22, Desiree Cervantes, 23, and Jacqueline Velazco, 21.
The families of Salinas, Cruz and Velazco have retained J. Alexander Law to pursue wrongful-death claims arising from the crash on U.S. 281 near Park Road 4 in Burnet County, according to a press release from the law firm.
The young women were traveling with friends to a birthday celebration when their vehicle was struck and caught fire.
According to DPS, the Ram pickup occupied by Talley towing a livestock trailer crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a Chevrolet Malibu head-on before colliding with a Mercedes SUV occupied by the five victims. The SUV overturned and ignited; the women were pronounced dead at the scene.
“J. Alexander Law is conducting an independent investigation and will pursue all available civil remedies against the driver and any other responsible parties,” according to the press release. “Out of respect for the ongoing criminal case, the firm will limit comment on specific evidence at this time.”
Josh Alexander, principal at J. Alexander Law, continued: “No family should ever receive a call like this. These young women were sisters in every way that matters. We will move swiftly to demand answers and accountability for the families of Ms. Salinas, Ms. Cruz, and Ms. Velazco.”
Matthew Graham, managing litigation attorney for J. Alexander Law added: “Tragedies like these are completely avoidable, and harm not just the victims and their families, but all those whose lives these young women touched. Texans behind the wheel need to wake up to the very real consequences of negligent behavior; consequences that affect us all.”
As of Aug. 8 Talley remained in the Burnet County Jail.
